Duncan’s big half boost Spurs to 62-57 halftime lead

Tim Duncan has erupted for 17 points and eight rebounds to lead the Spurs to a 62-57 halftime lead over Phoenix.

Duncan climbed into the wayback machine to score nine of San Antonio’s first 11 points as both teams have been hot in the first half. Tony Parker has chipped in with 12 points and six assists and Matt Bonner has been hot off the bench with 10 points and four rebounds.

The Spurs have struggled with Shannon Brown, who has erupted for a game-high 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting with three 3-pointers. Marcin Gortat has added 14 points and six rebounds, Sebastian Telfair has scored 11 off the bench and Steve Nash has eight points and five assists.

Manu Ginobili came off the bench to boost San Antonio to a 29-23 lead late in the first quarter to match their largest lead to that point. But Brown hit a three and Nash added a hoop to pull them within 29-28 at the break.

Duncan’s 19-footer boosted them to their largest lead of the half at 52-43 with 5:01 left in the second quarter for the Spurs’ largest lead.

Brown erupted for 14 points in the first quarter as both teams started off hot. The Suns finished the first half at 56, San Antonio hit 54 percent.

The Spurs have a 25-16 edge in rebounds, although Phoenix has a 28-24 edge in points in the paint.

The Suns are shooting 56 percent from the field and Spurs are at 55 percent. You get the idea that the first team to string several defensive stops together will likely win.

After watching the first half, the Spurs likely have a better chance at playing that defense.